Dear DG Families,
March Focus – Open Minded
In March, the focus area on our ROARS grid is around being “open minded”. Teachers will be doing some direct teaching around this concept with their students & we’ll also be adding some tips and suggestions about being “open minded” on the morning announcements. We encourage families to join us in this focus area by taking advantage of those “teachable moments” to work open mindedness into conversations at home.
Semaine de la francophonie
March 1 to 3st is Francophonie month, and at Devon Gardens, we typically celebrate with “Semaine de la francophonie” leading up to Spring Break. This year, we’ve had to scale things back a bit, but there are still lots of fun things to learn! Often when we think of Francophones in Canada, Quebec becomes the star of the show. This year, the spotlight is on Acadians and the enormous contribution they have made to promoting la Francophonie (Mme Greenhalgh is pretty excited; this is her cultural background). If you’re not familiar with Acadian history, culture and language, it’s fascinating, and very much distinct from Quebec – including the language (to quote Mme Sutter “you might understand French, but you won’t understand Acadian French!”). This week we’ll be sharing some information and songs during morning music to help us learn a but more about “les acadiens”. If you’d like to do some learning at home, too, here are a few things to check out:
https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/Acadia/443550
Famous Acadian author, Antonine Maillet, explains the finer points of the Acadian French
https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1769608912
Everything You Need to Know About Acadian Culture and Acadian Day
Roc Your Mocs – March 11th
Roc Your Mocs – Celebrate Cultural Diversity and Identity
On Thursday, March 11, we will be celebrating with our Indigenous Education department’s Roc Your Mocs event. We are celebrating cultural identity and diversity through footwear! Students are invited to bring footwear from their own cultural background, and if they don’t have footwear they can wear their favourite socks! (Of course, please still wear shoes to school!)
Students may also be joining a zoom session with Nathan Wilson to learn about teachings of different cultural footwear, including moccasins.
The Roc Your Mocs event was featured on citynews1130.com! Check out the article here: https://www.citynews1130.com/2021/03/05/delta-students-rock-mocassins/
Second Term Report Cards
Second Term CSL report cards will be available for viewing through Parent Connect on Wednesday, March 10th. An email to all parents will be sent out when the report cards are uploaded. Should you need a paper copy of your child’s report card, please email your child’s teacher by Thursday, March 4th.
Crossing Guard Schedule
Please see the schedule listed for crossing guards until the end of June!
Crossing Guard Schedule
https://www.cbc.ca/kidsnews/post/watch-staycation-ideas-tie-dye-backyard-vibes-and-what-id-wear
We want to take this time to wish all of you a wonderful spring break. Spring break will be from Monday, March 15 until Friday, March 26. Schools will reopen on Monday, March 29th and we look forward to welcoming your child(ren) back to school at that time.
Beyond Behaviour: A Relationship-Based Approach to Understanding Your Child’s Needs During the Pandemic
As caregivers, we all want to do the best we can for our children. Sometimes, that can~feel challenging if we don’t know how to respond to our child, particularly at a time of overwhelming uncertainty. This presentation invites parents and caregivers to get curious about using a relationship-based approach to parenting, which, unlike behavioural perspectives, equips you with the tools to~understand your child’s needs. Pulling from decades of attachment research, we will explore the cross-cultural primary attachment needs of children and how we can respond in a way that develops caring, secure relationships; skills that are keys to building resilience in our children
The presenters:~
Joti Kalar holds a Masters in Counselling and is a Registered Clinical Counsellor. As a second generation South Asian Canadian, Joti’s therapeutic practice focuses on exploring our intersecting identities and acknowledging the ways in which our individual strengths and struggles are connected to broader experiences with family, culture, and normative societies.
Tiffany Wu – Born to Chinese immigrants in Vancouver, on the unceded and traditional lands of the~xʷməèkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil Waututh) and sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) peoples, Tiffany has first-hand experience growing up straddling multiple cultures and identities. She holds a Masters in Counselling. The foundation of her work is rooted in the intersectionality of culture, mental health and substance use.
Beyond Parenting Parent Workshop March 10 V2
When: March 10, 2021 6:30 – 8:00p.m.
Register in advance for this workshop:
https://ca01web.zoom.us/meeting/register/u5Ykc–vpz0pGdFwpzFOvipRrrSYPsJzRUec
ENCOR session with Saferschools Together on digital responsibilty and internet safety on March 11th
EncorDelta Parent Session Mar 11 2021
TO RESERVE YOUR SEAT PLEASE CLICK ON THIS LINK:
PARENT SESSION: 90-minute presentation followed by a 30-minute Q&A
As a parent, you lead the charge as a digital role model. Help your child develop a strong digital citizenship foundation while reminding them that their digital tattoo reflects their real and online selves. Parents have an important role to play in providing support and guidance during critical periods. A snapshot of current trends and concerning apps will be provided to equip you in your digital parenting strategy.
PARENTS: Do not miss this free event!
Social Media Update – The most current apps and trends Digital Parenting Strategy – How to have important conversations with your child around social media safety including information about sextortion and online recruitment
Digital Footprint and Reputation – With their future approaching, recruiters and employers are taking note – What will they find?
Family Tech Plan – Recommendations for family guidelines and parental controls
PAC Updates
Canadian Parents for French (CPF)
Membership is free this year. To sign up or for more details, please visit https://cpf.ca/
Of interest is Carnival in Quebec, online this year.
Reminder – Fundraisers ongoing throughout the year
Return-it Express
PAC has created a school fundraising account. To participate, simply bring your containers to the depot in sealed, clear bags, and enter the registered phone number, 604-581-6185, into the Express kiosk. You will be prompted to select the number of bags you’re dropping off, the kiosk will automatically print the same number of sticker tags displaying our PACs unique Express account code. Tag each of your bags with a sticker tag and drop the bags off in the designated Express drop-off area to be counted. For a list of Return-it Express location visit https://www.return-it.ca/locations/express/
Cobs Bread Dough Raiser Program
This program enables us to raise money for our school throughout the year! Be sure to mention Devon Gardens Elementary (or code 7806) each time you make a purchase at COBS Bread Scott 72 Centre; they will donate 10% of your purchase back to our school.
Level Ground Trading
Level Ground is a BC business that works with fair trade coffee, tea, dried fruit and spice producers. For details and to place an order, please visit our very own Devon Gardens landing page https://www.kaci.io/devon-gardens-elementary-school-level-ground. Enter DevonGardens in the discount code field at checkout and 15% of your purchase will be a payback to the school on every order of $40+. Free shipping on orders $40+
Online Stay Safe & Babysitting Courses
Offered through First Aid Hero. When registering use promo/coupon code DGPAC and our PAC will earn $8 from each registration. For details, available course dates and online registration, please follow the links below:
Babysitting – https://firstaidhero.com/babysitting-courses/online-babysitting-courses/
Stay Safe – https://firstaidhero.com/stay-safe/
Questions? Send an email to pacdevongardens@gmail.com
Regards,
Devon Gardens PAC
Mar 8 – 12: Semaine de la Francophonie
March 9th: Hold and Secure/Lockdown Drill
March 10th: Term 2 report cards available online
March 11th: Roc Your Mocs spirit day
March 13 – 28: Spring Break (School is closed)
Mon, March 29th: School re-opens
Friday, April 2nd: Good Friday (School is closed)
Monday, April 5th: Easter Monday (School is closed)